The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against environmental activist Bhanu Tatak for allegedly receiving foreign funds in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The case pertains to her role as legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum and coordinator of civil society organisation Dibang Resistance, which have been protesting against various power projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Arunachal Pradesh-based lawyer and environmental activist Bhanu Tatak for allegedly receiving funds from abroad in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The CBI alleged that Tatak received foreign contributions for research projects between 2022-’25 without obtaining mandatory certification of registration under the Act.
Tatak is a legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum and the coordinator of civil society organisation Dibang Resistance. These organisations have been protesting against the Siang Multipurpose Project, a proposed 12,500-megawatt power project on Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang river, and a 2,880-megawatt power project on the Dibang river. In addition to these projects, Tatak is also involved in protests against the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project.
The CBI has alleged in its first information report, seen by Scroll , that Tatak had received more than Rs 17.6 lakh in funds from ‘different foreign organisations and individuals directly into her personal savings bank account without obtaining mandatory certification of registration’ under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The allegedly foreign entities include the Philippines-based Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy, Indigenous Peoples Rights International based in Ireland, Front Line, and Human Rights Resource Centre based in the United Kingdom.
The central agency has further alleged that Tatak has never filed income tax returns and that the foreign funds were not reflected in any official records. The CBI claimed that the funds were being utilised to organise and sustain anti-dam protests in Arunachal Pradesh ‘thereby adversely affecting economic and strategic interests of the country’.
Tatak did not comment on the matter when contacted by Scroll . This article will be updated if she responds.
In September 2025, Tatak was stopped by the immigration authorities from boarding a flight to Ireland at the Delhi airport based on a lookout circular issued against her by Arunachal Pradesh Police. The circular is used by law enforcement authorities to check whether a person leaving the country is wanted by the police.
Source:
Scroll.in
